Church Vacuums

[jayelux]

I was approached by the sexton of our church about replacing an old commercial Elecrolux. She said she loves the vacuum, but it has seen better days. Does anyone have experience with the blue knock-off Prolux vacuums? Are they as good as the originals they replaced? The church is small, and the Electrolux seemed to be a good fit.
Also, I remember when I was a kid visiting many churches because my mother was an organist. While she was practicing, I always searched for vacuums. At one very large and old Baptist church, I saw two Electrolux Model Ls with power nozzles being used. They had to have been twenty years old at the time, and they probably saw frequent use.
Remember seeing Hoover convertibles a lot also.
Anyway, any recommendations?
Thanks,
Jay

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I would recommend a HOOVER Commercial.

I cleand my church, see below, for years with a metal HOOVER Guardsman. It stood the test of time cleaning miles of carpets.

 

[vinvac]

Jay,

First, are they sure the Electrolux can't be rebuilt! Almost everything on that machine is repairable.

A good Electrolux Dealer should be able to get back up to snuff in no time. For church use, that machine is perfect! The hose is long enough to get in the pews, you always have tool use available to get edges, can be used for hard floor cleaning easily...and it works great cleaning around the pedal board on the organ.

Otherwise, I would suggest a good Sanitaire Upright....if the pews are spaced far enough apart. If not, a Sanitaire with a good back pack vacuum would also work. That is what we use at St. Luke's. Both machines we use now have the ST bags. I keep the a supply of replacement brush strips and service the machine every quarter.

Morgan

 

[sebo_fan]

Our church had a sellotaped up old canister vacuum, an old Sanyo that was fairly old and fairly lacking in power despite having clean filters. I eventually parted with my Sebo Dart 1 (commercial version of the Felix). They're very happy with it and well, that's been 6 years now. The Dart seems to be good to get under the pews because of its swivel head and being low generally means they can get around the church in no time at all! Only additional attachment they've required is a clip to the handle for an added dusting brush - handy for all the delicate kneeler cushions.

 

[kenkart]

I wonder??

Why more Churches don't install central systems, that would be ideal in a Church!

 

[blackheart]

Central Vac

I think i saw a video where they had a central vac mounted onto a cart if memory serves it was an electrolux central vac. it's low profile would be great for cleaning under and between the pews. I don't think too many church custodians would like having to haul it around though or deal with the hose. I do lke the idea of fixing their current lux i feel they are some of the more fool proof vacuums out there (won't run without a bag brushrolls shuts off when jammed) and they do fine with glued down carpeting.

 

[tazcatsdad]

Unless there's absolutely no way that the Electrolux can

<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I would try getting it fixed first.  Electroluxes are pretty much "bulletproof", in my opinion!  But, if it really does need replacement, I'd suggest any one of the following machines as a worthy successor:</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Windsor Sensor</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Sebo Felix</span>


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Koblenz Endurance Clean Air U900 (hardbody, similar to a Panasonic)</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">or any Sanitaire model.  I currently use the Windsor as my "daily driver", and my church uses them as well -- they're really top notch machines!</span>


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">Bill W.</span>

 

[tolivac]

Here is a machine made up by Mike at Greenville Vacuum and Sewing for doing churches and other similar places-probably could even work for cinemas,too-and transmitter sites!We have one here at the plant-works very well.The machine could stay outside of the transmitter-and you bring the hose and tool inside it-and works well from a ladder.The machine stays on the ground.Mike is even shown with the machine!

http://greenvillevac.com/Port-A-Vac.html

 

[tolivac]

Essentually Mikes machine is a MD central vacuum on a janitors-housekeepers cart.The unit is handy for us-he has made up and sold several to the churches in the Greenville area.Has two of them waiting in his store for delivory.Suppose another prospect---Hotels and motels would like this machine.Don't know about shipping if you want one for the collection or to use.

 

[vinvac]

Hans,

I did know of a church that had central vac...it was a mess! The hose was always caught on something! They ended up never using it.

I am not fond of central vacs. We had one at the funeral home I cleaned for many years. I never used it...always brought my Kirby! The owner was disappointed that I would not use it.

The Kirby was quicker not as heavy as lugging that 35 foot hose, and cleaned and groomed the carpet much better than the Turbo Cat powerhead on the central vac.

My sister has central vac in her home...beleive it or not, her Oreck XL21 cleans and grooms better than her central vac with the turbo ct powerhead.

I still think rebuilding the Electrolux would be my first option....rebuilt you would have a great vac for another 40 years!

 

[jayelux]

Great Advice!

Mike's Port-a-Vac is ingenious. A perfect solution for many situations, but our church is small. The sexton had a long list of what she likes about the ProLux, so the best option, after hearing from you all, seems to be to rebuild the ProLux. I believe the biggest problem is the short hose coming from the power nozzle. A local shop in Denton did not want to mess with it and was only interested in selling her a heavy monster that she was not interested in.
I really appreciate everyone's advice.
Thank you!
Jay

 

[bimmer740]

I have used many ProLux uprights over the years in a commercial setting and they can certainly take a beating and keep on cleaning. They are very easy to rebuild yourself too and you are making the right choice by keeping it.

I'm assuming that the duct hose on your machine needs to be replaced and its a very inexpensive part as well as a very quick fix. The hose simply twists on and off, and only takes a few minutes to replace. For $3.95 I don't think the hose in the attached link is a genuine Lux part, but even a genuine Lux hose is probably only a few dollars more.

http://www.totalvac.com/EL-3227.html

 

[guardsman69]

OF THE THIRTY SEVEN CHURCHES AND TEMPLES I SELL TO THE HOOVER COMMERCIAL CONVERTIBLE PROFESSIONAL SERIES UPRIGHT MODEL CH50020 WITH LED HEAD LIGHT AND DECADE 80 SHAPED HOOD AND BASE AND 4 BRUSH CARPET GROOMER WORKS BEST .....PAIR THAT WITH A CH300000 AND YOU HAVE AN UNBEATABLE COMBINATION...ESPECIALLY WITH TWO VOLUNTEERS CLEANING ...ONE TAKES THE HIGH ROAR THE OTHER THE LOW ROAD

 

[djtaylor]

Maybe you should rebuild the ProLux and ADD a smallish canister for all of the above-floor cleaning. I like the small Eureka/Sanitaire canister(Mighty Mite?), it has good suction and lasts fairly well.
In my church we use Windsor uprights for the chapel and class rooms, NSS "Pig" for above-floor and an NSS Pacer(like a lawn mower) for the very long halls and foyers.
The Windors are OK, I'd like more suction. Actually, I'd prefer a G Series Kirby with the 50' cord.
Justin

 

[xraytech]

Our church uses a circa 1984 Hoover Concept One, onlt the Altar and the vestubiles are carpeted, between pews we use a big dust mop

 

[vacman1961]

Take your Electrolux commercial uprights to an authorized Aerus Electrolux store to see if it can be repaired. The way those machines are built they can be repaired many times, even the body parts can be replaced, if not invest in a new Aerus commercial upright, they can be purchased for under $500.00. Stay away from the imitation versions, such as the ProTeams and the look alikes, they are nothing but Chinese made junk. I was in the vacuum business for over 30 years and I used to sell all the Churches, funeral homes, catering halls and restaurants Electrolux commercial uprights and we kept them going for many years with little problems. If you have a reliable vacuum store that you can trust, that uses only Genuine replacement parts take them there, if not go direct to Aerus. I just purchased a new one for my local Knights of Columbus hall, they had 2 units that were 10 years old, and they recently needed a third, I made a few phone calls and I was able to get one for $470.00. Good Luck.

 

[jmurray01]

My recommendation ? A Numatic!

And, if you can, get that old Lux from her and keep it yourself

 

[sebo_fan]

Numatics are common in large UK churches, especially with the varnished dark wood floors - in smaller ones where carpets are used more, uprights are better.

 

[thevacuumguy96]

I go to the same church as Justin(djtaylor) just a different building and every church I have been to that is part of my religion, has windsor and nss vacuums. I agree with Justin about the G series Kirby with the 50' cord. Imo, the Windsors aren't very good for the hard carpet. My church building just recently switched to NSS uprights from windsors though and even though I don't like Windsors, I can honestly say that I miss them. My favorite vacuum at my church though is the NSS pig. I think that is a great all around machine for churches, offices, hotels and even household use. If it were me, I would like to have a Kirby or a Sanitaire at my church though, because of the longer cords and more durable motors.